NICOP Kya Hai? NICOP Fee 2026, Requirements & How to Apply Online (Pak ID)

If you are a Pakistani living in the Gulf, Europe, the UK or America, your normal CNIC is not enough. You need a NICOP — the identity card NADRA issues to overseas Pakistanis. This guide explains NICOP kya hai, who needs it, the latest NICOP fee for every zone, the documents required and the complete online process through Pak ID.

NICOP kya hai? (What is NICOP)

NICOP stands for National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis. It is a Smart identity card issued by NADRA to Pakistani citizens who live, work or study abroad, and to dual nationals. It carries the same 13-digit identity number as your CNIC, so your records stay linked.

With a NICOP you can:

• Enter Pakistan visa-free, even if you travel on a foreign passport (dual nationals)
• Open and run bank accounts, buy or sell property and register SIMs in Pakistan
• Apply for a Pakistani passport from abroad
• Use it as proof of identity at NADRA, banks and government offices

NICOP fee 2026

NADRA charges NICOP fees in US dollars, and the amount depends on the zone of the country you apply from and the category (speed) you choose. The same fee applies to a new NICOP, renewal, modification and duplicate card.

Applying from inside Pakistan? You can also apply for a NICOP at a NADRA centre in Pakistan. The fee is charged in rupees; ask for the current amount at the counter or on the helpline (NADRA helpline number).

Who needs a NICOP?

• Pakistanis working abroad (for example in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar or Oman)
• Pakistanis who have become permanent residents or citizens of another country (dual nationals)
• Children of Pakistani parents born abroad (a child under 18 gets a juvenile NICOP)
• Pakistani students studying abroad for a long period

Documents required for NICOP

For NICOP renewal:

• Your existing NICOP or CNIC number
• Valid Pakistani or foreign passport
• Residence permit / visa (Iqama, Emirates ID, BRP, green card) where applicable

For a first NICOP:

• CNIC or NICOP of a parent or blood relative, who will verify you biometrically
• Your Pakistani or foreign passport
• Birth certificate (foreign birth certificate for those born abroad) or your B-Form

For a child born abroad: the child's foreign birth certificate, both parents' CNIC/NICOP, the parents' marriage certificate and the child's passport if issued. Your Family Registration Certificate (FRC) helps prove the family link if NADRA asks.

How to apply for NICOP online (Pak ID)

1. Download the Pak ID app or open id.nadra.gov.pk and create an account with your email and mobile number.
2. Select Identity Card → NICOP and choose the service: new, renewal, modification or duplicate.
3. Choose your category: Normal, Urgent or Executive, and the delivery country.
4. Fill in your details exactly as they appear in NADRA records and your passport.
5. Capture your photo and fingerprints with the phone camera, as guided by the app. First-time applicants may need a biometric check at a Pakistani embassy or consulate.
6. Add witnesses and upload documents — passport, residence permit, birth certificate as required.
7. Pay the fee online with a Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card.
8. Save your tracking ID. The card is couriered to the address you gave.

How to track your NICOP

• Pak ID app: log in and open your existing applications.
• SMS: send your tracking ID to 8400 from a Pakistani SIM — full method in our NADRA tracking guide.
• Phone: call +92 51 111 786 100 from abroad.

NICOP validity and renewal

A Smart NICOP for adults is valid for 10 years. For children, the juvenile card stays valid until they turn 18, after which they apply for an adult NICOP. Renew your NICOP before it expires, as the process is the same as a new application on Pak ID. If you move back to Pakistan permanently, you can switch to a normal CNIC — see our CNIC renewal guide. For a Pakistani passport from abroad, read the passport renewal online guide.

Related NADRA guides

• NADRA marriage certificate — the MRC most embassies ask for in spouse visa files.